A yearly celestial event is returning for the season as a companion to the "Buck" moon. The Perseid meteor shower brings countless shooting stars to skies throughout America - North Carolina included.
The Perseid meteor shower is one of the most spectacular observable from the U.S., and its timing during the summer offers stargazers more comfortable viewing options than some of the winter showers. NASA says that 50-100 meteors can be observed hourly during much of the Perseids' duration.
If you're hoping to make a wish, or simply observe yet another incredible cosmic display, here's what to know about the Perseids.
When is the Perseid meteor shower? When do the Perseids peak?
Though the Perseids have already begun as of July 14, peak activity is still weeks away.
Space.com noted that the shower will peak on the night of Sunday, Aug, 11 through Monday, Aug. 12. Following the peak, the meteors will remain active through Sept. 1.
Though there is often some variation, last year's Perseid meteor shower peaked on the same dates - and, like last year, the moon will be a crescent, allowing for less additional light in the sky and making for better viewing conditions.
What is the best time to see the Perseids?
Pre-dawn hours, particularly on peak viewing days, are generally the time at which the Perseids are most spectacular, though they may be visible earlier in the night. NASA says they can be visible as early as 10 p.m.
What are Perseids?
According to Space.com, the Perseid meteor shower is an effect of the comet Swift-Tuttle, discovered in 1862. Swift-Tuttle is the largest object known to repeatedly pass Earth, with a nucleus of about 16 miles wide.
In short, the observable "shooting stars" provided by the Perseid meteor shower are actually pieces of Swift-Tuttle comet debris heating as they enter Earth's atmosphere and burning in bright bursts of light. The meteors can travel at 37 miles per second, according to NASA.
How to watch the Perseids shower
As usual, the darker the skies, the better the stargazing. Apart from observing as late at night - or early in the morning - as you can stand, avoiding light pollution will provide for a better viewing experience. Find clear, open spaces for best views of the sky.
Space.com advises stargazers look up and to the north for best views of the meteors. In southern latitudes, viewers look toward the northeast.
One special option in the Western NC area is N.C.'s only certified Dark Sky Park. Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, or PARI, holds regular viewing events for significant astronomical events - including the Perseid shower. Visit for the evening or book a campsite or cabin on Aug. 9, near the shower's peak.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
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